Combating Hepatitis B and C Through Awareness in Kasur (31 Dec 26)

Transparent Hands, with the sponsorship of Packages Foundation, successfully took the first step towards a Hepatitis-Free Kasur under the Packages Sehat Mission. This initiative aims to protect communities from Hepatitis B and C and promote healthier lives. The project is also aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health & Well-Being and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. This phase of the project was designed to raise awareness, prevent the spread of Hepatitis B and C, and provide early screenings within a 10 km radius of the Bulleh Shah Packaging, Kasur Mill. During this phase, a strong social media campaign was launched to educate the public about the causes, symptoms, transmission, risks, and prevention of Hepatitis B & C. The campaign successfully reached a wide audience, gaining thousands of views and engagements, helping spread awareness in Kasur. Initial Survey and Community Outreach After creating awareness online, a survey was conducted within a 10-kilometer radius of the Bulleh Shah Packaging, Kasur Mill, to identify barbers and health workers operating in the area. Many of them were unaware that unsafe shaving practices and unsterilized tools can spread Hepatitis B and C. Transparent Hands’ team visited barber shops and hospitals in Kasur and invited them to an awareness session at Ahmed Medical Complex, Kasur. Impactful Awareness Sessions: On December 31, 2025, an in-person Awareness Session was organized at Ahmed Medical Complex, Kasur. It was conducted by Dr. Sana Ibrahim and Dr. Saqib Riaz. More awareness sessions were conducted on the 21st, 23rd, and 28th of January 2026 at selected locations to ensure maximum outreach. On January 21, 2026, two sessions were held in Theh Shaikum, District Kasur, and Ashri Singh Wala, District Kasur, educating local residents and community members. On January 23, 2026, three awareness sessions were conducted at the following locations: • United School Adda Balaka District Kasur • Rawain School Theh Shaikum, District Kasur • Government Higher Secondary School Aroor Singh Wala, District Kasur These sessions primarily targeted students, teachers, and school staff. One additional session took place on January 28, 2026, in Theh Saharan, District Kasur, where a large number of participants actively attended and took part in discussions. These sessions brought together health workers and barbers and focused on educating them on: · Causes and transmission of Hepatitis B and C · Importance of infection control and proper sterilization · Critical role of barbers and health professionals in Hepatitis B and C prevention · Significance of early testing and timely treatments Awareness Through Printed Materials On the day of the awareness session, printed materials such as banners, brochures, and standees were used to share important information about Hepatitis B and C. These materials explained safe practices and prevention in easy language and helped participants better understand the key messages discussed during the session. Finalized the MOU with Ahmed Medical Complex On January 26, 2026, Transparent Hands stepped into a partnership with Ahmad Medical Complex Kasur to provide free surgical and medical care to deserving patients. As part of our Hepatitis-Free Kasur initiative, patients referred by Transparent Hands will receive complete Hepatitis B & C vaccination at no cost. In addition, the hospital has generously allocated a meeting room for our awareness sessions. It will enable us to educate and empower communities with valuable information on Hepatitis B & C. Impact and Participation The sessions were interactive and well-received, and participants showed keen interest and appreciation for the information shared. Health education was delivered in simple and understandable language to ensure clarity and effectiveness. In total, 218 individuals attended the awareness sessions. Through these efforts, Transparent Hands has taken a significant step towards reducing the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in Kasur and increasing community awareness. The organization is committed to continuing such initiatives to promote preventive healthcare and build healthier communities across Pakistan. Next Steps in the Process Phase 1 of the Hepatitis-Free Kasur initiative will run from January to June 2026 and aims to screen 4,000 individuals for Hepatitis B & C, vaccinate 400 people, and provide free treatment to 80 diagnosed patients. As part of the next phase of the initiative, two Hepatitis B and C screening camps are planned for February 2026. These camps will target low-income and underprivileged communities in Kasur. With this initiative, we’re successfully fighting Hepatitis B & C in Kasur.